Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship

Congratulations to the 2016 Student Entrepreneur Grant Winners

Each year, the Dingman Center sees many aspiring student entrepreneurs pass through its doors. Students that participate in our Fearless Founders accelerator program and Dingman Fridays advising hours have an opportunity to grow their companies at a rapid rate, but as with anything, willpower prevails. To those students who have shown a particularly strong level of dedication and commitment to their entrepreneurial endeavors, we are able to award seed funding through our Capital One and Venture Well sponsored grants:

Capital One Grant:

For several years, Capital One has been an
ever-loyal supporter and sponsor of student entrepreneurs. With our Capital One MVP grants of $500 and our larger grants of $2,500 for those who have completed the Hatch course in Fearless Founders, recipients are enabled to take their business ideas to a new level of growth and possibility.

This year’s winners are:

Capital One MVPTeddy Li, Tixel Labs – a data analytics company that aims to provide smarter inventory management for restaurantsCarlouie Nievera,Carlouie & Company – a retro fashion line inspired by the ’90s looks of Saved by the Bell and Fresh Prince of Bell AirDavid Potter, Abb Kapoor and Giorgi Managadze, Curu – an app that provides tools and tricks for smarter credit managementThomas Rivas-Siles, Vendoo – an app that allows online sellers to access multiple marketplaces from one convenient locationDavit Sargsyan, Sunset Sangria – an American-produced sangria company and lifestyle brandVictoria Tataw, Nails by Tataw – a vegan, 5-free and cruelty-free nail polish brandOru Wonodi ,NOVA Prints & Apparel – a globally conscious fashion line with a mission to supply aid to individuals in developing countries

Capital One Grant: HatchDustin Ecton, TapTimeTV– a customizable entertainment and advertising channel for bars and restaurantsSumanth Jinagouda, SpotThis – a fashion discovery service that helps you find outfits based on images you can upload

VentureWell is a higher education network that cultivates revolutionary ideas and promising inventions. Their grants of $500 each are given to students with promising startup ideas who have shown outstanding commitment to furthering their business.

This year’s winners are:

Saron Asfaw, East Habesha – an online clothing store and cultural destination for East African waresPhilemon Masewal, Q – an app that allows you to pay a fee to reserve a bar seat during peak hoursShyon Parsadoust,RollaWire– a wireless headphone alternative to unreliable bluetooth optionsAaron Pludwinski, Kanvasroom – an online platform for creatives across industries to collaborate on projects